Let me add a cautionary warning to my efforts to promote on
the ground political action. Most of you
probably recall The Sting, starring Redford
and Newman. Near the beginning of the
movie, Redford goes looking for Newman to learn how to pull off the Big Con
against Robert Shaw, who has had one of Redford’s buddies murdered. He finds Newman sobering up in a whore house,
and asks about the Big Con. Newman
agrees to help, but warns Redford:
“You're going to go for him.
I don't want a hothead looking to get even, coming back saying......"It
ain't enough." 'Cause it's all we're gonna get.”
2 comments:
I've got to say, Professor, assuming you're still talking about the Russia story--so if you're not, please ignore and excuse this comment--I'm surprised that you interpret the main thrust of left criticism of the story as naiveté, the complaint of those unwilling to live with the disappointments and compromises endemic to political struggle. The left criticism that I myself have found persuasive comes from a place of pragmatism: I am deeply worried about the long-term effects of giving into a political discourse of treason, of foreign interference--a political discourse that, moreover, soaks up crucial resources from and crowds out other stories and issues concerning far more important obstacles to genuine democracy in America and justice in the world. And, to boot: a political discourse that (heretofore) comes up short on substantial evidence.
Yeah Professor, "The Sting" was a good movie. And I am not quite as old as you or as academically accomplished for sure. But I am by no means a young man anymore and I have had my own life from which I draw various conclusions from my experiences and own education. And occasionally I disagree about some things and write comments or speak up to express that. None of that is intended to disparage you or your own experience. Politics is a contentious subject. And apparently I am already way out there on the left wing of it, at least in this country, and am somewhat used to that. I imagine you are somewhat used to that as well, or you should be at this point. You need to be able to deal with some arguments from the left as well as arguments from the right without really questioning the integrity of the arguer.
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